Craig Hodgetts introduces Anthony Vidler as a leader in adapting architectural discourse to the changing technological landscape.
Vidler reviews the digital revolution from a historical perspective, comparing it to the discovery of perspective, and the resulting evolution in architectural representation. Vidler focuses on the creation and evolution of typologies, specifically exploring the creative impact of a standard or typology.
Identifying the origin of modernist functionalism in Frederick Taylor, Vidler argues that modernism failed due to a lack of adequate tools, not a flawed philosophy. He proposes that digital tools will fill in the void between the modernist dream of standardized housing, and the postmodern dream of completely personalized buildings. He cites works by Le Corbusier and Rem Koolhaas.
Vidler discusses the Fondation Cartier exhibit by Diller and Scofidio, that employs technologies of surveillance, and flawed or failed technologies. Vidler argues that up to the turn of the century digital tools have been applied mostly to altering the mode of representation, not production or fabrication. Modern digital tools enable the coordination of a high degree of complexity, which would allow the integration of cultural elements like politics and economics into the design.
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